Help us return Great Western 2857 to steam…

Great Western 2-8-0 No.2857 last hauled a passenger service at the Severn Valley Railway on the 2nd January 2023, the locomotive now requires a full overhaul. To do this we need to be commit as much finance, and manpower, as possible to ensure 2857 sees steam again.

Aims of The Society – The Trustees are aiming to have to loco back in traffic before the turn of the decade, ideally sometime around late 2029. This would mean the loco will have been out of traffic for less than 7 years, which we feel would be maintaining our promise to our members, by actively preserving the locomotive, principally for use on the Severn Valley Railway. We also feel that the 2030’s decade holds several key anniversaries we wish to have the locomotive in steam for.

Targeting a late 2029 steaming date would give us the opportunity of returning the locomotive to traffic and having it ‘run-in’, to allow us to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the formation of the ‘28xx Society’, the original name of the current Society. This anniversary takes place in 2031, and likewise, we would also be able to celebrate both the 70^th anniversary of its withdrawal from British Railways, and the 60^th Anniversary of the purchasing of the locomotive, in 2033 and 2034 respectively.

The key anniversary for us is 2035, the year of Great Western 200. This is an anniversary we feel it almost vital for our loco, and Society, be able to celebrate. During the same year we would also like to be able to celebrate 50 years since our locomotive had the opportunity to work the last steam hauled unfitted goods train on the national network. With a little bit of careful co-ordination with our friends in the Bewdley Wagon Group, we hope to be able to see 2857 haul a lengthy goods train on the SVR, similarly to that which it hauled to Newport in 1985.

Towards the latter end of the locomotives ticket, we would also be able to celebrate its 120^th Birthday in 2038.

There’s plenty to be said for getting 2857 back in steam in time for several parties we just don’t want to miss!

Current Funds and Overhaul Costs – Our current financial position is relatively healthy. We currently have circa £200,000 to contribute to the next overhaul. This would leave us with an amount of £15,000 in our accounts, which is our reserve is to keep the Society functioning throughout the years of the overhaul. But £200,000 is simply not enough. We are going to be looking at nearer the £300,000 mark to see 2857 through to its next 10 Year Ticket.

During this next overhaul we have some big jobs to undertake on 2857. Her 8 driving wheel tyres are now at scrapping size, and in order to turn a wheel again she is going to need new tyres. We won’t be seeing much change from £60,000 for these. Although the boiler is in fairly good condition, we will naturally need to replace the tubes, and depending on estimates for these we could be looking anywhere between £20-30,000. The tender needs a new handbrake, and the loco needs a new fallplate, all of this before we even think about the costs of labour.

How can you help? – You can donate directly to the overhaul appeal, which is due to launch in early 2025. This appeal will set out with the intention to raise a targeted amount for items required for the overhaul.
You can also sign up to be a shareholder today, purchase more shares if you are an existing shareholder, and purchase from our online shop. Every single pound that is raised will be one step closer to 2857 steaming again.